Lionville YMCA to support post-prom

UWCHLAN — The Lionville Community YMCA will present a formal request to the township for permission to host Downingtown High Schools’ post-prom events.

According to Lionville YMCA Executive Director Jacqueline Fenn, who is also a school board member, parents of the post prom committees of Downingtown East and Downingtown West high schools will work with the Y to present a complete informational package in response to concerns raised by township supervisors about a post-prom party at the Y.

Supervisors must approve any Y activity after 10 p.m. at night. The YMCA agreed to the zoning provision when it received permission to build its facility years ago.

The packet is expected to be presented to the supervisors prior to their next board meeting March 11.

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“It’s a partnership,” said Fenn.

According to Carolyn Ganzelli, co-organizer of East’s post-prom committee, Downingtown East’s post-prom hosted about 350 of those who went to their own prom last year.

According to Downingtown West Principal Tom Mulvey, their attendance rate was about 25 percent for post-prom – 250 students out of about 850 students in total that attended their prom.

When surveyed, students said they would more likely attend the post-prom event at a site that was not their high school and had a pool, leading to a request for the use of the YMCA facilities.

According to Fenn, the YMCA’s board not only approved the proposal to host both post-prom events, but did so without charging the groups a fee and are offering volunteer staff to help throughout the event.

A conditional use requirement in the township’s zoning ordinances states that the YMCA must be closed by 10 p.m., unless the supervisors grant an exception.

According to Supervisor Joseph Toner, the decision was made because the facility is located in a residential area. He said no exceptions have been granted to the YMCA since the they were granted permission by the township to build their facility 17 years ago.

On Feb. 11, during the township’s board of supervisors’ meeting, the committees and high school administrators asked the board for permission to use the YMCA.

Supervisors expressed concerns over noise pollution and other disturbances to nearby residents that might result from the event, as well as issues of transportation, capacity, and security.

Toner also requested that the committees survey residents on Horne Place, Woodview Drive, Arianna Lane, Robin Road, North Whitford Road, Devon Drive, Reber Circle, Edgewood Drive, Oakland Drive, and Balderston Drive to determine whether or not they would be amenable to the event and possible consequences.

Neighbors who attended the meeting said that they would accept the possibility of noise pollution for two nights throughout the year if it meant that students would be more likely to attend an alcohol-free post-prom party.

However, Toner said that, with the exception of himself, the neighbors who have been adversely affected by previous post-prom events in the area were not present at the meeting and also needed to be contacted.

Toner lives within close proximity of both Downingtown High School East and the YMCA, which are less than one mile apart.

Ganzelli said that if use of the YMCA is not approved by supervisors, the schools are likely be used again. The schools are not required to ask for municipal approvals for school activities in their buildings.

About the Author

Sara Mosqueda-Fernandez os the Daily Local News' reporter that covers all things Downingtown and its local school district. A transplant to Chester County, she also keeps an eye on environmental issues in the area. Reach the author at smfernandez@dailylocal.com
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